'A matter of grave concern': Supreme Court takes strict action on increasing cases of digital arrests

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Amid rising cases of cyber fraud, the Supreme Court on Friday, October 17, took suo motu cognizance of widespread “digital arrest” scams. It is a sophisticated form of cyber fraud in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement agencies or judicial officials to extort money from victims, especially senior citizens.

The action was taken on the complaint of a senior citizen in Haryana who was subjected to extortion using forged court orders. The 73-year-old woman from Ambala alleged that scammers imprisoned her in “digital arrest” and extorted over ₹1 million using fake Supreme Court orders, Live Law reported.

In her complaint to Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai, the woman said the fraudsters produced a fake order allegedly issued by former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna. The Supreme Court agreed to initiate a suo motu proceeding titled “In re: Victims of Digital Arrest related to Fake Documents”.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi expressed serious concern over the scams, calling them a “direct attack on the dignity of the institution” and a threat to public confidence in the judiciary. “Forgery of documents and criminal misuse of the name, seal and judicial authority of this court or a high court is a matter of grave concern,” it said.

Taking judicial notice of several reports regarding such crimes, the bench said, “Creation of judicial orders bearing forged signatures of judges attacks the foundation of public confidence in the judicial system apart from the rule of law. Such action is a direct attack on the dignity of the institution. Such serious criminal act cannot be considered as an ordinary or regular offense of fraud or cyber crime.”

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It further said that coordinated efforts are required by the Center and State Police to uncover the entire scope of the operation involving forged judicial papers and extortion/robbery from innocent persons, especially senior citizens. The apex court sent notice to the Government of India through the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, and to the CBI through its Director, Principal Secretary, Home Department, SP Cyber Crime in Ambala.

It has also requested assistance from the Attorney General of India.

Also read:India issues advisory against ‘digital arrest’: Understand the scam and how to protect yourself

(edited by : Poonam Behura,